Peripheral Artery Disease (PAD)

Peripheral artery disease (PAD) is caused when extremities, usually legs, do not receive the blood flow needed to function. This can cause many issues, including leg pain while walking. PAD can often be a symptom of a bigger problem of more widespread fatty deposits in arteries that are reducing blood flow to the brain and heart as well.

Symptoms and Causes

Many people who have PAD may have no symptoms or very mild symptoms. However, one of the most common issues experienced is leg pain when walking, called claudication.

Claudication can feel like muscle pain or cramping in your legs that is triggered by activity like walking. These sensations will disappear after resting for a few minutes. Where the pain is felt depends on the location of the clogged or narrow artery,howevercalf pain is one of the most common locations.

If you are not sure if you are experiencing PAD or something else, your best course of action is to make an appointment with Dr. Giraldo, the best vein doctor in Frisco, Southlake, McKinney or anywhere else.

Severityof the leg pain can range from mild discomfort to sever pain. Debilitating claudication can make it hard for people to walk or do any other type of physical activity. Other symptoms of peripheral artery disease include:

Painful cramping in the hips, thighs or calf after climbing stairs or walking

Leg numbness or weakness

Coldness in lower leg or foot that feelsmore coldthan the other leg

Sores on feet, legs or toes that will not heal

Leg color change

Lack of pulse or a weak pulse in legs or feet

Hair loss or delayed hair growth on your legs and feet

Slow-growing toenails

Skin that is shiny on your legs

Erectile dysfunction

As peripheral artery disease progresses you may experience pain when you are lying down resting or sleeping. It may wake you up, but walking around your room or dangling your legs off the side of your bed may help.